Muzzle flash suppressor



Sept. 13, 1966 N. L. VINSON MUZZLE FLASH SUPPRESSOR Filed March 26, 1965I I I0 COOLANT PREssuPuzoR \NVENTOR United States Patent 3,272,074MUZZLE FLASH SUPPRESSOR Neal L. Vinson, 836 Arizona SE., Albuquerque, N.Mex. Filed Mar. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 443,135 4 Claims. (Cl. 89-14) Myinvention relates generally to firearms, and more specifically to thesuppression of the visible flash observable at the muzzle when a firearmis fired.

The flash is caused by luminous combustion gases which follow a firedbullet out of the muzzle, and which result from the burning of gunpowderin the cartridge. In the conduct of warfare, especially guerrillaaction, the muzzle flash of firearms is highly visible during nightoperations and constitutes a tactical liability.

It is a general object of my invention to provide means for suppressingthe muzzle flash of firearms by reducing and eliminating the luminosityof .the combustion gases.

Another object of my invention is to provide a muzzle flash suppressionmeans which is quickly and easily attached to a firearm and which iscapable of use under field conditions.

Briefly, my invention accomplishes these and other objects to becomeapparent by means of a muzzle attachment which retains a supply ofrelatively noncompressible pressurized fluid adjacent a perforatedmixing cone. Combustion gases resulting from the firing of the firearmare admitted to the opposite side of a shaped stretchable diaphragmwhich retains the fluid, stretching the diaphragm and forcing the fluidinto the mixing cone. Mixing of the fluid with combustion gases in thecone takes heat from the gases, vaporizing the fluid and reducing thetemperature of the gases to below luminosity.

A better understanding of my invention may be had by reading the moredetailed description to follow, in conjunction with the appended claimsand attached drawing, which shows a longitudinal sectional View of apreferred embodiment of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing, muzzle piece is on the correct diameter tofit snugly over the muzzle of the firearm on which it is to be used, andis provided with a threaded opening 11 to receive a set screw. The piecehas an opening on its other end large enough to clear a bullet. Muzzlepiece 10 is externally threaded, screwing into porting member 12 andbeing held therein by lock nut 13. External cylindrical member 14fastens to member 12 by threads, and supports end member 15 at its otherextremity.

Member 15 is internally shaped to provide a mixing cone 16 which isrearwardly perforated at 17. Stretchable diaphragm 18 is shaped totightly cover the outside of the perforated portion of cone 16,extending away from the remainder thereof, forming a chamber 19. At itsupper end the diaphragm is bonded to a thin metal washer 20 and clampedtightly between members 14 and 15.

In use, container 21 is provided with a small amount of pressurizer,which may be a volatile fluid such as a common refrigerant. Needle valve22 allows manual control of flow of the pressurizing gas through asuitable connecting line to container 23, which contains a liquidcoolant such as water. The coolant should be relatively noncompressibleand should have a boiling point not greater than the temperature of thecombustion gases. Under pressure, the coolant flows through a line 24,check valve 25, fitting 26 and connecting passage 27 to chamber 19.Since the coolant is pressurized it will stretch diaphragm 18sufliciently to allow any contained air to escape through perforations17. A slight weep of coolant appearing inside cone 16 indicatesreadiness of the device for use.

When the firearm is fired and the bullet clears the upper end of nozzlepiece 10, combustion gases collect in plenum 30 and are forced by theirown pressure through ports 31 into chamber 32. Diaphragm 18 thusreceives a sharp impulse, and since the liquid coolant in chamber 19 isrelatively noncompressible, and relief cannot be obtained in the reversedirection through check valve 19, the diaphragm stretches and uncoversperforations 17. This admits coolant to mixing cone 16 where it issprayed on the passing bullet and the combustion gases. Heat from thegases vaporizes the liquid, cooling the gases below the point ofluminosity.

Passage of the bullet into the mixing cone causes the pressure behindthe bullet to drop to ambient. The pressure in chamber 32 quicklyequalizes by back-venting through ports 31, allowing diaphragm 18 toresume its normal shape, sealing perforations 17. With chamber 19restored to shape, makeup coolant flows in through check valve 25 andthe device is ready for another firing. The action is extremely fast,and firing rates of 600 rounds per minute are believed possible.Adjustment of needle valve 22 controls the supply of pressurizing vaporto container 23, while adjustment of muzzle piece 10 controls the sizeof plenum 30 thereby controlling the pressure of combustion gases ondiaphragm 18. Experimentation with these adjustments prior to field usewill determine proper settings for any condition.

It is seen that my invention is extremely compact and capable of easyinstallation on a firearm. For field use it is suggested that containers21 and 23 be General Issue canteens suitably modified and carried on thebelt of a soldier. Standard Ai-inch flexible tubing may be used asconnecting lines. It also is conceivable that the containers and tubingcould be built into the stock or other portions of a firearm, forming aself-contained unit.

These and other modifications of the preferred embodiment shown anddescribed may be accomplished by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the sphere and scope of my invention as defined in theclaims below.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for suppressing the muzzle flash of a firearm, comprising:

means fitting over the end of the firearm muzzle for conductingcombustion gases following a fired bullet;

a rearwardly perforated mixing cone supported in line With saidconducting means;

a stretchable diaphragm tightly covering the outside of the perforatedportion of the mixing cone and extending away from the remainderthereof, forming a first chamber;

a relatively noncompressible pressurized liquid coolant having a boilingpoint not greater than the temperature of the combustion gases;

unidirectional means for conducting the coolant into the first chamber;

means forming a second chamber around the outside of the diaphragm;

and means for admitting combustion gases from the 3 conducting meansinto the second chamber whereby the diaphragm is stretched and thecoolant is forced through the perforations into the mixing cone where itmixes with combustion gases, cooling them below the temperature ofluminosity. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the last-named means isadjustably restrictive to control the amount of pressure applied to thediaphragm.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the coolant is pressurized by thevaporization of a volatile liquid.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the coolant is water.

No references cited.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner. F. C. MATTERN, S. C. BENTLEY,Assistant Examiners.

1. A DEVICE FOR SUPRESSING THE MUZZLE FLASH OF A FIREARM, COMPRISING:MEANS FITTING OVER THE END OF THE FIREARM MUZZLE FOR CONDUCTINGCOMBUSTION GASES FOLLOWING A FIRED BULLET; A REARWARDLY PERFORATEDMIXING CONE SUPPORTED IN LINE WITH SAID CONDUCTING MEANS; A STRETCHABLEDIAPHRAGM TIGHTLY COVERING THE OUTSIDE OF THE PERFORATED PORTION OF THEMIXING CONE AND EXTENDING AWAY FROM THE REMAINDER THEREOF, FORMING AFIRST CHAMBER; A RELATIVELY NONCOMPRESSIBLE PRESSURIZED LIQUID COOLANTHAVING A BOILING POINT NOT GREATER THAN THE TEMPERATURE OF THECOMBUSTION GASES; UNIDIRECTIONAL MEANS FOR CONDUCTING THE COOLANT INTOTHE FIRST CHAMBER; MEANS FORMING A SECOND CHAMBER AROUND THE OUTSIDE OFTHE DIAPHRAGM;